The experiment was conducted at the animal science department of Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, to evaluate productive and qualitative characteristics of elephantgrass pasture and animal performance under grazing. The experimental area consisted of eight paddocks of 0.443 ha of elephantgrass (Pennisetun purpureum, Schum. cv. Taiwam), where 36 Charolais, Nelore and crossbred were kept, with three tester animals per paddock, with two repetitions. Variables related to pasture production and quality and animal performance were studied. Real leaf lamina masses (LLM) of elephantgrass were: 1.167; 1.543; 1.926 and 2.248kg of dry matter of leaf lamina/ha, constituting the treatments. Stocking rate (y=2.243.14 - .32LLM, R2=.4), showed a negative linear relationship. The final liveweight is kg, presented a quadratic effect (y = 103,41 + .114LLM - .00003LLm², R2=.5) with the LLM increase. The average daily weight gain showed positive linear effect (y = .25 + .0002LLM, R2=.2). The increase of the elephantgrass leaf lamina mass proportioned a decrease of stocking rate supported by the pasture and increased the average weight gain.
Charolais; growing phase; Nellore; forage quality
